So you see someone else in SL, and they either look interesting or their profile is interesting, and you want to chat with them. After a simple, "Hi!" or friendly hello, it can sometimes escape you what to ask next. After all, there isn't a lot of weather in SL to talk about! And I consider that a good thing.

How can you open a conversation with them?

Some good conversation openers I use are:

• Compliment them well on their avatar or object. You can only use this one if you notice something specifically wonderful, interesting, or well-built about their avatar or something they are carrying, using, etc. Sure, saying, "nice avi" is always friendly and nice, but it is far better to mention something specific as to why you are impressed. "Nice bionic leg!" or "That pipe looks great!" If you've spotted in their profile that they are builders, you might ask, "DId you make it?" Or, you might ask, "Do you remember where you got it?" Know that you'll probably need to follow your compliment with a question to keep the conversation moving past their likely response of, "Thanks!"

  PS - be patient with folks if they can't remember or figure out where they bought an item... you'll quickly amass 5,000 or more object in your inventory, and after a couple of months, you'll have visited so many places in SL that it'll be tough to remember which was where and what.

• Ask them if they have any favorite sims. I have found some great places this way. If they can't think of any favorites, you might tell them the kinds of sims you are looking for and ask if they know of any. "I like Star Trek. Know of any good Star Trek sims around that have role play?" Or, "I love skiing. Do you know of any cool snow sims that have ski lodges or skiing?"
• Ask them what they like to do in SL. If they say something you like, too, then you are off and running! You can expect answers like building, scripting, shopping, chatting, partying, dancing, sports (sailing, golf, etc.), war games, role playing, library work, gambling, exploring, clubbing, and meeting people.
• Ask them if they own land or have a house, club, or something they built. Check their profile, and under the "Web" tab, see if they have interests in common with you. Check their groups: see anything you like or that looks interesting? Ask them about it! Scan through their picks... do they own a shop or a home? You can ask them any questions about it, such as: what did they do to find the right land? did they build their buildings themselves? what do they find is the hardest part of running the shop?
• Ask what they like best about SL. This keeps things on the positive and will introduce you to things you don't know about and are usually not obvious. If they are new (with an avatar less than 30 days old), you might ask them how they like SL so far.

  Another way to generate conversation is to ask what they hate the most about SL, but be warned that this will quickly turn into a bitch session that won't teach you a thing and generally won't help you a bit in world. Thus, many consider it a waste of time. You can always bitch about SL when the grid is down and all there is to do is to go read & post to SL blogs and SL forums.

Most people in SL are friendly and easy to talk to. Certainly it is easier to meet someone in SL than it is in real life. So just say hello, and if they don't reply or in the rare case they are rude, just know it is all about them and not about you.
Oh - and if folks are not replying, remember that they may just be busy and not see your text. Don't take it personally. You can catch them another time in another place - there are so many folks to talk to, you can just be curious about who the next one you find will be, and what they'll have to tell you about!